1 min read
The waiting is finally over. The 23-man squad representing England have been putting the final touches to their preparations. Now I urge every English football fan and national journalist to get behind the boys.
Over the past few months, it appears that several members of the national press have been doing as much as they can to derail England’s chances. The question I have to ask is do they really want Fabio Capello’s men to lift the cup on July 11?
It started off with the John Terry (excuse the pun) affair, that resulted in the Chelsea defender losing the armband for something that took place off-the-pitch.
The next victim was Lord Triesman, who was well and truly stitched up. I can count the positives stories about his tenure as FA and 2018 Bid chairman on one hand. It was pretty clear from day one that he was not the man the English media wanting representing the game.
I also have not forgotten about the sensational stories which suggested that the England team hotel in Rustenburg would not be ready in time. Instead, the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus and its pitches, are the envy of pretty much all other teams. So it’s fair to say that that story was mere speculation.
To date, the England squad have acted as true professionals, and dare I say great ambassadors for the country and Premier League. So with little to report in the run-up to the football extravanganza, they target the manager for another non-story after he told off photographers for snapping in the wrong place.
The press are clearly relishing the moment that England’s hopes go up in smoke when Wayne Rooney is sent off.
I realise that the players and managers are well paid, but so are the press. Everyone has a job to do but please, please, please, for those of us that haven’t seen England win a football World Cup, get behind the team, believe in the boys, and as Rafa would say, focus on the facts.